Soap siren Ali is currently starring in Britain’s longest-running police drama The Bill as PC Sally Armstrong, a policewoman passionate about policing, sometimes to the point of recklessness.

Ali previously appeared in Channel 4 teen drama Hollyoaks, playing the character of Becca Dean from 2001 to 2007. Becca’s most controversial storyline in Hollyoaks saw her fired from her teaching job and sent to prison after having an affair with one of her students.

A fan of the show, Ali is most looking forward to the frocks: “I have watched Strictly Come Dancing for the last few years and have always wanted to take part. I know it’s probably a girly cliché but I just can’t wait to wear all the beautiful dresses; it’ll be fantastic. The girly fantasy aside, it will of course be great to learn the new dances.”